Key definitions

Question 1

Conformity

Answer 1

A change in a person’s behaviour or opinions as a result of real or imagined pressure from a person or group of people.

Question 2

Internalisation

Answer 2

A deep type of conformity where we take on the majority view because we accept it as correct. It leads to a far-reaching and permanent change in behaviour, even when the group was absent

Question 3

Identification

Answer 3

A moderate type of conformity where we act in the same way with the group because we value it and want to be part of it. But we don’t necessarily agree with everything the majority believes.

Question 4

Compliance

Answer 4

A superficial and temporary type of conformity where we outwardly go along with the majority view, but privately disagree with it. The change in our behaviour only lasts as long as the group is monitoring us.

Question 5

Informative social influence

Answer 5

Explanation of conformity that states that we agree with the opinion of the majority because we want to be correct as well. This may lead to internalisation.

Question 6

Normative social influence

Answer 6

Explanation of conformity that says we agree with the opinion of the majority because we want to be accepted, gain social approval and be liked. May lead to compliance.

Question 7

Group size

Answer 7

Asch increased the size of the group by adding more confederates, thus increasing the size of the majority. Conformity increased with group size, but only up to a point, leveling off when the majority was greater than 3.

Question 8

Unanimity

Answer 8

The extent to which all the members of a group agree. In Asch’s studies, the majority was unanimous when all the confederates selected the same comparison line. This produced the greatest degree of conformity in the naive ppts.

Question 9

Task difficulty

Answer 9

Asch’s line-judging task is more difficult when it becomes harder to work out the correct answer. Conformity increases because naive ppts assume that the majority is more than likely to be right.

Question 10

Social roles

Answer 10

The ‘parts’ people play as members of various social groups. These are accompanied by expectations we and others have of what is appropriate behaviour in each role.

Question 11

Obedience

Answer 11

A form of social influence in which an individual follows a direct order. The person issuing the order is usually a figure of authority, who has the power to punish when obedient behaviour is not forthcoming.

Question 12

Situational variables

Answer 12

Milgram identified several factors that he believed influenced the level of obedience shown by ppts. They’re all related to the external circumstances rather than to the personalities of the people involved, e.g. proximity, location, uniform.

Question 13

Proximity

Answer 13

The physical closeness or distance of an authority figure to the person they are giving an order to. Also refers to the closeness of the teacher to the victim (learner) in Milgram’s studies.

Question 14

Location

Answer 14

The place where the order is issued. The relevant factor that influences obedience is the status or prestige associated with the location.

Question 15

Uniform

Answer 15

People in positions of authority often have a specific outfit that is symbolic of their authority. This indicates to the rest of us who is entitled to expect our obedience.

Question 16

Agentic state

Answer 16

A mental state where we feel no personal responsibility for our own actions as we believe ourselves to be acting for an authority figure, i.e. as the agent. This frees us from the demands of our conscience and allows us to obey even a destructive authority figure.

Question 17

Legitimacy of authority

Answer 17

An explanation for obedience which suggests that we are more likely to obey people who we perceive to have authority over us. This authority is justified (legitimate) by the individual’s position of power within a social hierarchy.

Question 18

Dispositional explanation

Answer 18

Any explanation of behaviour that highlights the importance of the individual’s personality. Such explanations are often contrasted with situational explanations.

Question 19

Authoritarian personality

Answer 19

A type of personality that Adorno argued was especially susceptible to obeying people in authority. Such individuals are also thought to be submissive to those of higher status and dismissive of inferiors.

Question 20

Resistance to social influence

Answer 20

Refers to the ability of people to withstand the social pressure to conform to the majority or to obey authority. This ability to withstand social pressure is influenced by both situational and dispositional factors.

Question 21

Social support

Answer 21

The presence of people who resist pressures to conform or obey can help others to do the same. These people act as models to show others that resistance to social influence is possible.

Question 22

Locus of Control (LOC)s.

Answer 22

Refers to the sense we each have about what directs events of our lives.
Internals believe that they are mostly responsible for what happens to the (internal LOC).
Externals believe it is a matter of luck or other outside forces (external LOC).

Question 23

Minority influence

Answer 23

A form of social influence in which a minority of people persuade others to adapt their beliefs, attitudes or behaviours. Leads to internalisation or conversion, in which private attitudes are changed as well as public behaviours.

Question 24

Consistency

Answer 24

Minority influence is most effective if the minority keeps the same beliefs, both over time and between all the individuals that form the minority.

It’s effective because it draws attention to the minority view.

Question 25

Commitment

Answer 25

Minority influence is more powerful if the minority demonstrates dedication to their position, for example, by making personal sacrifices.

This is effective because it shows that the minority is not acting out of self-interest.

Question 26

Flexibility

Answer 26

Relentless consistency could be counter-productive if it is seen by the majority as unbending and and unreasonable.

Therefore minority influence is more effective if the minority show flexibility by accepting the possibility of compromise.

Question 27

Social influence

Answer 27

The process by which individuals and groups change each other’s attitudes and behaviours. Includes conformity, obedience and minority influence.

Question 28

Social change

Answer 28

This occurs when whole societies, rather than just individuals, adopt new attitudes, beliefs and ways of doing things.